A TEENAGER suffered serious injuries to his face and chest after he was knifed in a Bournemouth park last night.

The boy, who is 16, was part of a group of youngsters sitting on a bench at Pelhams Park in Millhams Road, Kinson at 8.30pm.

The group was approached by two teenage boys on bicycles.

One of the cyclists began shining a torch at a girl in the group. The girl asked him to stop, but the cyclist pulled a knife from his pocket.

A fight then broke out between one of the cyclists and a boy from the group.

During the fight, the victim was stabbed in the chest and face. He was taken to hospital to receive treatment.

The first offender is described as approximately 16 years old and of large build.

He was wearing a dark-coloured mask which covered most of his face and black tracksuit bottoms.

The second offender is described as wearing a hooded top with the hood up. He had long hair at the front.

Detective Sergeant Stewart Gates, of Bournemouth CID, said: “We have carried out a number of enquiries so far including CCTV and house-to-house.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw or heard anything suspicious to please get in touch.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who saw two people matching the descriptions in the area, or knows who is responsible.”

Residents have this afternoon told the Daily Echo of their shock at the attack.

Ricky Barton, who has lived in the Kinson area for more than 30 years and as a resident on Millhams Road for the last 15 years, said he was very concerned.

"It's getting quite bad and becoming a bit too normal to hear about stuff like this," Mr Barton said.

"I was brought up here and there was never anything like this going on.

"There has been one particular group since the summer acting up and smashing up the bus stop by the green.

"Hopefully this is an isolated incident or I will have to think about putting the house up for sale."

Lee Shirvill, who also lives on Millhams Road, said: "I have been here for three and a half years and that's the first time I've heard of something like that to happen so close to this part of Kinson.

"We have got young children so it is a concern for this sort of thing to become more prominent.

"Since I have been here the community has been coming together which is good to see. Hopefully the young chap is okay."

This evening, Dorset Police said that a 13-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy, from Bournemouth, were arrested on suspicion of assault and are helping officers with their inquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55170194855.